by Matt » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:54 am
In the morning - the eighth - the warband assembles in the hall. Crilde, the cook, who has taken a liking to the visitors from the north, has prepared full, hearty fare. Eggs, fresh bread, three different kinds of cheese, fresh rashers of bacon, ham steaks, jams, honeys, and preserves and a strong autumn ale, spicy and filling. "We wouldn't want ya to catch yer deaths after that bathin' foolishness now," she says as she heads back towards the kitchen.
Afterwards, Jorst checks everyone's kit, and satisfied that everyone is armed with something - though nothing too obvious - he nods to Igon. The whole time, Horveal's youngest son Fahd, almost thirteen, watches in rapt attention. Laenvan gives him a little wave as the group leaves the temple grounds.
The city bustles at this hour and Ibuthine Way, which runs north/south and faces the temple, is no exception. Porters and carters hurry past, along with apprentices running errands, beggars to trip over, those coming from and going to the market, and all seeking to avoid the trench of mire running down the middle of the lane. Into this ordered frenzy step s the warband. Ulauf points to the south, and he and Laenvan lead the way.
The group passes the first well, and as they do, note once again the compound with a carved relief of a sundered claw above the gate. "Ilvirans," someone spits, and again, wonders how it is that a temple to the glory of the Gray Slayer can sit so close to one of the craven brooder. Next to the temple and adjacent to one of the city gates stands an inn, the sign of the Iron Bell. They note with interest four light foot guard the gate which stands open.
Further down, the warband passes another well, and a passably attractive young woman showing a fair amount of her wares offers to "service the lot of ye." Igon yells at her to be off, and the warband continues. Other than the prostitute, no one has taken much notice of them so far. Shortly after the well, Laenvan points to the right, and the group continues up Valdan Way until they come to a square of five points. On the corner nearest them, stands the shop of Habor of Sarlis.
As they approach, a man at arms exits the shop escorting a lady of quality. On his tunic, they can just make out a heraldic device - a field of blue with two gold dolphins hauriant combatant. It's small and offset to the upper left of his chest, marking him as a man in service. He wears a mail hauberk, steel halfhelm, and has a broadsword at his belt. He carries a package for the lady.
The warband enters the shop, a large vaguely triangular structure. The main room is large, but divided by a long counter which meet from the two walls at an angle. Behind it, in the the larger portion of the room, apprentices and journeymen sit at tables, sewing, hemming, cutting, measuring, and doing all the things necessary to turn cloth into clothing. Bolts of brightly colored bolts of cloth line one wall, and along another are cabinets full of threads, ribbons, button, clasps, and other sundries. The journeyman who spoke to Laenvan and Ulauf before comes out from behind the counter to greet them and ask what is their pleasure this day.